The Forest Products and Agribusiness industries benefit from similar competitive advantages in terms of long-term sustainability of demand and supply. From timberlands to grains, renewable fibers and biofuels are integral parts of the global economy. However, these industries are not immune to escalating energy and input prices and other cost structure shifts. There has been retrenchment and consolidation across the board. To surmount these issues and move forward, you need a firm that has a spread of skills across all sectors.

Partner with Dentons to benefit from cutting-edge advice and innovative solutions. Whether you are seeking patent protection for a future food composition or plant breeding technology, assessing the long-term viability of a timberland investment, converting a production facility to a higher-end pulp use or installing a long-term structural commercial advantage in the distribution of your end product, we are at your side, adding value–not wasting your time.

Clients come back to us time and again due to our industry knowledge and the solutions we deliver that maximize their success. We understand the intellectual property imperatives underlining what were formerly simple commodity sectors. We can advise on intellectual property protection, commercial contracts, strategy in fiber management and finished product distribution, mergers and acquisitions, environmental sustainability branding, product approval and registration by government agencies, global cross-border trade and human resource management.

Look to our lawyers for innovative business and legal solutions in the Forest Products and Agribusiness industries, including:

• Biotechnology, Crop and Plant Breeding, Protection, Fertilizer and Fiber R&D
• Carbon Credits
• Lumber Trade and Production
• Timberland Investment and Land Protection Trusts
• Biofuels and Energy Input Management
• Pulp, Paper, Newsprint, Tissue and Containerboard Distribution
• Strategic Advisory and Industry Consolidation Implementation

Recognition

Forty-Four Davis Brown Attorneys Listed in The Best Lawyers in America^© 2021

August 20, 2020

United States: Forty-four Davis Brown attorneys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the 27th edition of The Best Lawyers in America^© in the Des Moines metropolitan area in their respective fields.

Insights

Victorian Supreme Court extends application of primary production land tax exemption

February 10, 2025

Australia: Last year Dentons’ Tax team successfully represented its client Premier Bay Pty Ltd (‘Premier Bay’) in both the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (‘VCAT’) at first instance, and the Victorian Supreme Court (‘Court’) on appeal dealing with whether land was exempt from land tax as the primary business of Premier Bay was primary production. This case represents a significant victory for taxpayers as it has broadened the availability of the primary production land tax exemption and clarified the test to be applied to determine if the primary business of a taxpayer is primary production.

How can our environmental consenting system support adaptation of our infrastructure?

July 18, 2024

New Zealand: There is no denying that climate change has arrived. On a day in early June it was 26 degrees in Hastings – in June (aka winter). New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmosphere Research has recently suggested it is time to reassess what are our new climate ‘normal’ is. New Zealand should, of course, continue to take steps to slow global warming, rather than just give up. But now we need to adapt to the effects of climate change too.

Court of Appeal on characterisation of 'ancillary' uses

May 31, 2024

Australia: Correctly characterising the dominant use of land is crucial for ensuring that use or development is permissible. It is particularly important where that dominant use is comprised of subservient uses which, absent the dominant use, might be a use unto themselves. A recent decision in the NSW Court of Appeal provides useful insights into this level of characterisation and whether a use is truly ‘ancillary’, as well as consideration of the defined uses of horticulture and extensive agriculture.

View all insights for Forest Products and Agribusiness

News and Events

Recent Press Releases

Dentons HPRP leads legal support for Perkebunan Nusantara PTPN III (Persero) in the establishment of Palmco and Supportingco sub-holdings

December 21, 2023

This monumental restructuring was conceptualized even before the establishment of PalmCo and SupportingCo, part of PTPN group's strategic reorganization.

Dentons Canada boosts corporate and venture technology offering with new partner Kristal Allen

April 19, 2023

Dentons announces the addition of Kristal Allen as a partner in the Firm’s Corporate and Venture Technology and Emerging Growth Companies groups in Calgary. An experienced lawyer with a wealth of practical and industry knowledge, Kristal practices corporate and commercial law and is a trusted advisor to clients in the technology, energy and agribusiness sectors.

Dentons in South Africa announces two partner promotions as its growth continues

April 6, 2022

Dentons in South Africa has announced the promotion of two new partners. Muhammad Patel and Robert Parring, whose roles commenced effective 1 April 2022. The announcement came at a time where the firm proudly celebrated its 10-year anniversary and sees continued growth both in SA as well as across Africa, where it is now present in 11 countries and 82 globally.

View all press releases for Forest Products and Agribusiness